Obesity in Adolescents: Prevention and Treatment to Change Their Future

The rates of adolescents with obesity continue to climb at alarming rates, contributing to current and future metabolic, physiological, and psychological problems. Careful screening and assessment by providers using growth charts is crucial to prevent obesity in adolescence. Consistent education on nutrition and physical activity, as well as expected changes, helps to prevent obesity from occurring. Once an adolescent is diagnosed with obesity, providers seek assistance from multiple disciplines to develop a team approach to achieve specific and individualized goals for each patient and family. Tools for screening, prevention, diagnosing, and treating obesity in adolescents ensure optimal results. •Risk factors, comorbidities, and interventions for adolescent obesity are reviewed.•The key is the combination of dietary and physical interventions consistently.•Adolescents with obesity are 4 times more likely to have academic problems.•Obesity can affect immediate health, future health, and quality of life.•Obesity can lead to feelings of isolation, stigmatization, and depression.